Making the Grade

Chris Anderson G'15 plays a leadership role in student admissions

Sep 3, 2014
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Article by: Laura Bulman

Chris Anderson G'15 with daughter, Grace; and wife, Michele

Chances are that, if you’re an Arts and Sciences student, you’ve come across Chris Anderson G’15. A veteran of the College’s admissions staff, he divides his time among meeting with prospective students (and their families); advising undergraduates; and overseeing the Dean’s Team, which, among other things, helps incoming freshmen and transfer students with their transition to life at Syracuse University.

But did you know that the affable 30-something practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu? Is an avid basketball player? Or is the proud owner of more than 90 pairs of sneakers?

The College’s Laura Bulman recently caught up with Chris to find out what keeps him going. And going. And going.

Tell us about your job.
I assist with the recruitment and matriculation of new students in the College of Arts and Sciences. I also have some academic advising responsibilities, such as assisting current students during advising drop-in hours, providing guidance to pre-health students, and helping out with Opening Weekend.

A fun part of my job is coordinating the Dean’s Team, which is a group of student volunteers from the College who assist with undergraduate recruiting and peer advising.

You must geniunely enjoy your work.
I do. It’s rewarding to meet students during the recruiting process, work with them during their undergraduate career, and then see them walk across the stage at commencement. I correspond with many of them after they graduate. The opportunity to forge professional, academic, and personal relationships with students is, by far, the best part of my job.

What are you most proud of?
I’m really proud of my Inspiration Award, which I received as part of the Chancellor's Awards for Public Engagement and Scholarship in 2010. I received the award because of my interaction with a student who went on to launch a tutoring program in China. We had a discussion about her future and how she could accomplish a lot, even before graduating college.

What’s your advice to students?
Find a major or a combination of majors to be passionate about. Avoid apathy, at all costs. There are so many fabulous courses in which to enroll and so many brilliant professors with whom to work. Don’t sit around, doing the bare minimum. Graduate with some gumption.

Do you ever slow down?
My life outside of Syracuse consists of spending time with family, training in the grappling martial art Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and eating at local restaurants with family and friends. My wife, Michele, is a teacher in the Liverpool Central School District. My daughter, Grace, is three years old and is a beautiful, rambunctious little girl. The three of us spend a lot of time together.

I especially like Brazilian jiu-jitsu and basketball. Jiu-jitsu is a great way to relieve stress, and a lot of people who try it get addicted to it—in a good way. I play basketball in the Flanagan Gymnasium during my lunch hour on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. There’s a regular crew of guys I play with, and we have a lot fun at our pick-up games.

I am also a recovering sneaker-a-holic. I have about 90 pairs of sneakers, some of which have never been worn before. I quit buying sneakers on a regular basis, when Grace was born.

What did you do before Syracuse University?
I worked for the New Jersey Nets, before they moved to Brooklyn. I spent two years with their sales and marketing team.

I've also earned a bachelor’s degree from the University at Albany. I’m currently a master’s student in the Cultural Foundations of Education, offered by Syracuse's School of Education. I plan to graduate next spring.